Eamon Gilmore
Question:148 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Marine if he will list the projects which are to be funded from moneys provided from the EC STRIDE Programme.
Written Answers. - EC Funded Projects.
I announced yesterday, 15 October, the launch of Ireland's operational programme 1991-1993 under STRIDE (Science and Technology for Regional Innovation and Development in Europe). The operational programme totalling 17.59 million ECU (IR£13.5 million) has been approved by the EC Commission, with a contribution in the form of grants from the ERDF towards the programme of 13.065 million ECU (IR£10 million) over the period — the remaining 25 per cent of the cost to be contributed from national resources.
Marine is the largest of the four sub-programmes under STRIDE, the remaining three being Environment, Forestry and Food.
The Marine sub-programme addresses the requirement to build up expertise and capability in marine science and technology, so as to stimulate activity in marine resource development.
The measures in the Marine sub-programme fall under five main headings; (1) Fisheries Research Centre (Development of the Marine): £2.0 million to provide essential laboratory equipment to support the fishing and aquaculture industries; (2) Martin Ryan Marine Science Institute (UCG): £3.0 million to fit out and equip laboratories and facilities in the new institute with the full range of oceanographic equipment; (3) Coastal Engineering and Resource Management Centre (UCC): £1.7 million to equip a hydraulics laboratory and coastal management unit to European standards; (4) Marine Data Centre (Department of the Marine): £0.7 million to establish and equip a national centre for marine data management with computer and modelling facilities; (5) Marine Research Vessel Lough Beltra (Department of the Marine): £0.7 million to provide specialized equipment for the national marine research vessel.
I have arranged for a copy of the STRIDE Operational Programme for Ireland to be forwarded to the Deputy.